Transparent wrapper and method of making the same



April 9, 1935. c. s. HAMERSLEY TRANSPARENT WRAPPER AND METHOD OF MAKINGTHE SAME Filed March 21, 1933 1v VEN TOR (1'14! JlHa/nwzalg;

Patented Apr 9,. 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRANSPARENT WRAPPER.AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAltIE Claims.

My present invention relates generally to the wrapping art, and hasparticular reference to a new and improved type of transparent wrapperfor a bread loaf or the like, and, coordinately, to

6 a method of making the same.

While I have herein illustrated, and shall hereinafter describe atransparent wrapper of the character which is designed primarily for usein wrapping an article such as a bread loaf,

10 nevertheless it will be understood that certain phases of myinvention are not necessarily restricted to this particular use.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a novel means forassociating certain desired printed indicia with a transparent wrapperwhich eiiiciently wraps and encloses the article in question, protectingthe same against exposure to the air, and which is moisture-proof,sufiiciently strong, and economical to manufacture and use.

A more particular object of my invention is to provide an integralwrapper whose major portion is transparent and devoid of any printing orother markings which would impair the transparency, while apredetermined limited portion thereof is of lesser transparency andagainst which certain desired printing is adapted to stand out clearly.

A preferred method of wrapping an article, such as a bread loaf,consists in arranging the printed legend along a medial band or stripwhich encircles the loaf, the balance of the loaf being visible throughan unprinted and unornamented range of transparent wrapping material.Where I have attempted to associate a separate printed strip or bandwith the loaf, I have found that the wrapping procedure must besomewhatmodified to provide for its insertion, and that the printed indicia isnot as clearly and constantly visible asis desirable. Furthermore, aseparate band is apt to shift in positional relationship to the loaf andto the wrapper, even where special means are provided to seal it or fixit in predetermined position.

One of the features of my present invention, as hereinbefore alluded to,resides in the provision of an integral wrapper which requires nospecial precautions or modified constructions of ordinary wrappingprocedures or machines.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wrapper whose applicationaround a commodity, such as a bread loaf or the like, is facilitated andrendered more secure.

More particularly, I aim to provide an improved Wrapper of the waxedpaper type, whose opposite lateral margins are adapted to be folded andsealed, under heat and pressure, when the wrapper is applied to thearticle. In accordance with my invention, these opposite lateral edgesor margins are caused to incorporate greater amounts of wax, whereby theefficiency of this sealing 5 procedure is improved.

From certain aspects, the phase of my invention relating to theincreased waxing at the marginal edges of the wrapper is independent ofthe other phases of the invention relating to the display of certaindesired indicia; and, by the same token, the latter features of myinvention are not in every case necessarily incorporated in a wrapper ofimproved sealing qualities. It is important to note, however, that thesetwo phases of my in-,

vention bear a definite cooperative relation, as will be pointed outhereinafter, whereby a wrapper incorporating all of the features of mypresent invention is of. greatly improved and highly eflicientcharacteristics.

One feature of my invention consists in associating a main sheet oftransparent wrapping material with an auxiliary printed strip or band ina manner whereby the two are integrally united in a uniquely efficientmanner. More particularly, I print certain desired indicia on onesurface of a strip of paper or the like, and I associate the strip withthe main transparent wrapper, along a predetermined area of the latter,by bonding the strip to the sheet with the printed face down, and in amanner whereby the printing shows clearly through the main transparentsheet and against an apparent background of lesser transparency.

I have found that where the printed surface of the strip is bonded tothe main transparent sheet by means of a homogeneous transparent layerof suitable adhesive, such as wax or paraffin, the association of thetwo elements being accomplished under proper conditions, an integral 40wrapper of the present improved and desirable characteristics may beefliciently and economically produced.

Another feature of my invention lies in arranging the printed stripalong the midportion of a substantially rectangular wrapper, toreinforce and increase the thickness of the latter along a medial band;and in providing layers of wax, of increased thickness, at the oppositemarginal edges of the wrapper, parallel to the medial printed strip. Theuneven waxing which is thus involved would ordinarily be utterlyunfeasible because of the inability to wind 2. continuous sheet into astable rolled form, but by purposely making the thickness of thewrapper, at the marginal tion of the rollers operation. As viewed inFigure 1,

edges, no greater than the increased thickness at the midpo'rtion of thewrapper, this difliculty is efiiciently obviated.

In a preferredmanner of carrying out the invention, a main sheet ofwaxed paper is associated with a narrower strip of waxed paper, thelatter bearing the desired indicia on one surface thereof, by bondingthe strip, printed face down, with a predetermined portion of the rearsurface of the larger sheet, by means of a homogeneous transparent layerof the wax with which the sheets are impregnated and coated. Where thisprocedure is properly carried out, the printing shows through the largersheet in an unusually clear manner, and against an apparent backgroundof lesser transparency arising from the superposition of the strip andthe sheet,

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as mayhereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustrativelyexemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is adiagrammatic view ofa waxing bath, showing one manner of carryingout mypresent invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a section of a continuous strip of wrappingmaterial embodying the features of my present invention;

Figure 3 is a greatly enlarged, longitudinal, fragmentary cross-sectionthrough an edge por- I3 and 13' of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a wrapped bread loaf or the like,constituting a new and improved article resulting from my presentinvention.

Where the invention is carried out in connection with waxed paper, Iprovide for the simultaneous passage through a bath of molten wax III ofa main sheet II and a narrower printed strip I2, as indicated inFigure 1. The main strip II is of any suitable width, depending upon thenature of the articles ultimatelyto be wrapped, and is composed of arelatively thin, substantially transparent paper of the character whichis adapted to be rendered almost completely transparent by a waxingthereof. The strip I2 is relatively narrow, having a width of only abouttwo or three inches, and is printed with desired indicia on one surfacethereof prior to the waxing the undersurface of the strip I2 is theprinted face.

The two strips are simultaneously caused to emerge from the bath of waxand to pass, in superposed relationship, between a pair of squeezingrollers I3 and I3, which expel excess wax and which embed the printedface of the strip 12 into the layer of wax between the two papers. Whenthe assembly leaves the rollers I3 and 13, it is transported to suitableapparatus for effecting proper cooling and consequent hardening of thewax. Other procedures, such as calendering, may also be carried out, ifdesired.

During the waxing procedure, or at any other suitable stage of theprocess, the marginal edges of the paper II are coated with bands orlayers of wax of increased thickness. This may be accomplished in any ofa number of ways, and I have illustratively shown one manner in whichthis result may be achieved. In Figure 3, for

example, I have shown one edge portion of the a greatly enlarged scale,that the surfaces of the rollers I3 and I3 on and it is to be notedrollers are slightly recessed or cut away at the ends thereof, asindicated at IT, so that the space between the rollers at this region isslightly greater than the normal spacing. Accordingly, the paper passingbetween the rollers is not squeezed as completely at these areas as itis elsewhere along the rollers. The result is that a greater amount ofwax is permitted to remain in association with the paper along theportion which passes between the recesses II.

For the purpose of explaining my invention in its simplest form, it maybe assumed that the opposite end portions of the rollers I3 and I3 areeach recessed as indicated in Figure 3. This results in producing aresultant article as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, which consists inan integral strip of wrapping material having certain uniquecharacteristics. The main strip II is almost completely transparentthroughout its major portion. Only at the rnidportion thereof, where thestrip I2 is bonded thereto, and at the margins I8, parallel to the stripI2, is the transparency of lesser degree. The increased capacity at themargins is due to the fact that greater amounts .-'of wax areincorporated with the sheet along these areas, these being the portionsof the sheet which have passed through the rollers at the recesses IT.The increased capacity along the medial band defined by the strip I2 is,

strangely enough, coupled with a remarkable clarity of the printingitself. This is due to the fact that the printing is embedded in thelayer of wax on the rear surfaceof the sheet II, and that this layer ofwax is properly homogeneous and transparent. At the same time, however,this layer of wax, sandwiched between two webs of paper, produces anincreased capacity across the entire width of the strip I2 and alongsideof the printed matter. The printing thus appears in clearly visible formupon an apparent background of lesser transparency than that of themajor portion of the wrapper.

More particularly, upon viewing Figure 4, it will be noted that thesheet II carries a thin layer of wax I4 on its upper or outer surface,and a similar layer I5 on its under-surface. Ernbedded in the latterlayer at the midportion of the sheet II is the printed strip I2, withthe printed face closely adjacent to the rear surface of the sheet II.While the printing ink, or similar material used for printing, is ofnegligible thickness, I have shown it at I6 to illustrate the manner inwhich it is embedded in the wax layer I5. By virtue of the treatmenthere nbefore described, the strip I2 is coated on its rear surface witha layer of wax I5 which forms a virtual continuation of the layer I 5.It is also to be noted that the layers of wax I4 and I5 are of greaterthickness at the margins of the sheet II, as shown at I8.

In accordance with my invention, the total thickness of the waxed sheetat the marginal edges is no greater than the total thickness at themidportion. This permits the sheet to be wound in a rolled form, on asuitable mandrel or drum, without any danger of telescoping ormisalignment. If the sheet were not thickened at the midportion by meansof the strip I2, it would be utterly unfeasible to roll the sheeteflicicntly, since the increased thickness at the lateral edges wouldleave the roll loose at the center; and by virtue of the slipperycharacter of waxed paper, an unstable winding would result. The presentsheet, however, may be efficiently and safely wound in the usual mannerbecause the increased thickness at the midportion leaves the ends of theroll loose, and this does not preclude an eificient winding operation.

It will be understood that the showing of Figure 3 is on an extremelyexaggerated scale.

It will also be understood that in actual 'practice the width of thesheet H, during manufacture, is substantially greater than the width ofa single wrapper, as shown in Figure 2. Usually, it is preferable tomake the sheet II a convenient multiple of the width of the desiredultimate wrapper, whereby the procedure of Figure 1 will obviously becarried out with a plurality of strips 12, these strips being bonded tothe sheet I along spaced areas. At the opposite ends of the rollers I 3and I3 recesses I! would be provided, in the manner illustrated; but inaddition, further recesses I! would be provided at spaced areas, between the strips l2, to provide for increased thicknesses of wax alongbands substantially parallel to the strips l2. Ultimately, the resultantwound material is severed through the bands of increased waxing, toprovide a plurality of continuous strips of the character illustrated inFigure 2. Whether the device of Figure 2 is manufactured singly, or inmultiple, as hereinbefore referred to, is, of course, a matter of meremechanical expedience and has no direct bearing upon my present processor article.

When the wrapper is used, the outer wax layer I4 is exposed, and theprinting [6 shows constantly and clearly through the sheet H as thoughit were printed on the outside of the sheet instead of being embedded inthe rear layer of wax. At the same time, the apparent background of theprinting is of relative opacity, due to the superposition of the sheetsH and I2 and the three layers of wax entering into this superposedassembly. Of course, this relatively opaque background can be enhancedby using a more opaque paper for the strip l2.

In use, the continuous strip of Figure 2 is cut transversely intosections to provide individual wrappers of suitable shape and size,usually substantially rectangular. These blanks may be used in theordinary wrapping machines in exactly the same manner as ordinary waxedpaper blanks have heretofore been used, and no special equipment ormodification of procedures need be resorted to. The finished article,when wrapped, appears as in Figure 4, in which I have illustrativelyshown a loaf of sliced bread in a wrapper of the present type. The majorportion of the wrapped article is visible through the major portion ofthe transparent sheet H, and at the midportion there is an encirclingband of lesser transparency upon which certain desired printing issuperimposed. This printing is constantly visible from the exterior, inan unusually clear manner. In fact, it is only upon close examinationthat it is found that the printing is not actually on the outer surfaceof the wrapper.

To accomplish this result with a single sheet of wrapping material wouldordinarily be commercially unfeasible. It would not only have to beprinted at only a predetermined area thereof, but the portions adjacentto the printing, and constituting a background therefor, would have tobe rendered relatively less transparent by means which would beexpensive, if at all feasible. By

the same token, the accomplishment of the present result by means of aseparate insert would be subject to the disadvantages hereinbeforereferred to. Thus, it would be necessary to modify the ordinary wrappingmachines, and, in any event, a poor and faulty visibility of the printedmatter would result.

The increased waxing at the opposite lateral margins of each wrapperincreases the efficiency with which the ordinary wrapping machine andthe ordinary wrapping and sealing procedure may be carried out. It iscustomary to tuck in the ends of the wrapper, as shown at E9 in Figure5, and to seal the device by applying heat and pressure, so that the waxis softened. With the slightly increased amount of wax available alongthe marginal edges, this procedure is simplified and rendered morereliable. Furthermore, since the sealing is thus taken care of by agreater amount of wax at the marginal edges, the body portion of thesheet may be coated with a lesser amount of wax than would otherwise benecessary; and this in turn increases the desired transparency of thebody portion of the sheet.

Another advantage of the present type of wrapper lies in the fact thatthe midportion thereof is substantially reinforced and strengthened bythe bonded strip of printed paper. This is particularly useful in thewrapping of an article such as a sliced bread loaf, wherein addedstrength at the midportion serves to hold the separate slices in properrelationship during the handling and shipping of the article. A looseinsert would have no such reinforcing effect.

It will be understood that where I have used the term paper herein andin the appended claims I mean to include materials, generally, havingsubstantially the same qualities for the present purpose; and that theterm printing is intended to include any of the conventional modes ofimpressing certain desired indicia or markings on a surface of a sheet.Similarly, the term waxing, as the same is used herein and in theappended claims is intended to include such materials as paraifin or thelike, which are conventionally used for producing what is known in thetrade as waxed paper.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details hereindescribed and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of myinvention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appendedclaims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted asillustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A wrapper fora bread loaf or the like, comprising a sheet of transparent material,and a narrower strip of sheet material bearing desired printed indiciaon one surface thereof, said strip being bonded, along its entiresurface and printed face down, to a predetermined portion of the rearsurface of said sheet by a transparent layer of adhesive material,whereby the printing will show clearly through said sheet against anapparent background of less transparency.

2. A wrapper for a bread loaf or the like, comprising a sheet oftransparentmaterial, and a narrower strip of sheet material bearingdesired printed indicia on one surface thereof, said strip being bonded,along its entire surface and printed face down, to a predeterminedportion of the rear surface of said sheet by a transparent homogeneouslayer of wax, whereby the printing-will show clearly through said sheetagainst an apparent background of less transparency.

3. A wrapper for a bread loaf or the like, comprising a sheet oftransparent waxed paper, and a narrower strip of waxed paper bearingdesired printed indicia on one surface thereof, said strip being bonded,along its entire surface and printed face down, to a predeterminedportion of the rear surface of said sheet by a transparent homogeneouslayer of wax, whereby the printing will show clearly throughsaid sheetagainst an apparent background of less transparency.

4. In combination with a bread loaf or the like, a wrapper comprising asubstantially rectangular sheet of transparent waxed paper, and arelatively narrow strip of paper bearing desired printed indicia on onesurface thereof, said strip being bonded along the midportion of therear surface of said sheet by a transparent homogeneous layer of wax soas to encircle said loaf at the midportion of the latter, and theprinted face of said strip being embedded in said wax layer so that theprinting shows clearly through said sheet against an apparent backgroundof less transparency.

5. The method of making a wrapper ofthe character described, whichconsists in printing desired indicia on one surface of a strip of paper,and bonding said strip, along its entire surface and printed face down,by molten transparent wax, under heat and pressure, to the rear surfaceof a relatively larger sheet of transparent material.

6. The method of making a wrapper of the character described, whichconsists in printing desired indicia on one surface of a strip of paper,waxing said strip, and bonding said strip, along its entire surface andprinted face down, by a layer of homogeneous transparent wax,- to apredetermined portion of the rear surface of a relatively larger sheetof transparent waxed paper.

7. The 'method of making a wrapper of the character described, whichconsists in printing desired indicia on one surface of a strip of paper,then simultaneously subjecting said strip and a larger sheet oftransparent paper to a bath of molten transparent wax, superimposingsaid strip, printed face down, onto a predetermined portion of thelarger sheet, squeezing said superposed papers to expel excess wax andto embed the printed face of the strip in the transparent wax layerbetween said papers, and finally cooling the assembly.

its entire surface to' 8. A continuous sheet material adapted to besevered into a plurality of wrappers of the character described,comprising an elongated continuous .web of waxedpaper, the oppositelateral margins of the web ,being coated with a heavier layer of waxthan the body portion of the web, the longitudinal midportion of the webbeing associated with an additional continuous narrower strip of paperwhich renders said midportion thicker than said margins, therebyenabling the web to be wound into a roll in which the pressure betweenthe layers is concentrated along said thickened midportion and thepressure along the more heavily waxed margins is correspondinglyrelieved.

9. A continuous sheet material adapted to be severed into a plurality ofwrappers of the character described, comprising an elongated continuousweb of waxed paper, the opposite lateral margins of the web being coatedwith a heavier layer of wax than the body portion of the web, and anarrower continuous strip of waxed paper bonded by said wax along itsentire surface to the longitudinal midportion of the web, said nararesultant thickness to rower strip imparting said midportion greaterthan that of said margins, thereby enabling the web to be wound into aroll in which the pressure between the layers is concentrated along saidthickened midportion and the pressure along margins is correspondinglyrelieved.

10. A continuous sheet material adapted to be severed into a pluralityof wrappers of the character described, comprising an elongatedcontinuous web of waxed paper, the opposite lateral margins of the webbeing coated with a heavier layer of wax than the body portion of theweb, and a narrower continuous strip of paper bearing desired printedindicia and bonded, face down, along its entire surface by a transparentlayer of adhesive material to the longitudinal midportion of the web,said printed strip imparting a resultant thickness to said midportiongreater than that of said margins, thereby enabling the web to be woundinto a roll in which the pressure between the layers is concentratedalong said thickened midportion and the pressure along the more heavilywaxed margins is correspondingly relieved.

CARL S. HAMERSLEY.

the more heavily waxed f

